Benefits of Hiking For Seniors

There’s a lot of opportunity in the great outdoors for seniors. Hiking is a lifestyle choice that more and more folks over 50 are making. (Yes- 50 is the number AARP has designated for being a Senior) Being over 50 is a milestone to be treasured and celebrate.

As I’ve continued to age, hiking just gets better and better. If you are reading this article and have never hiked- AND wonder if you can, it’s a big YES! If you can walk, then you can hike.

Our bodies are designed for the movement of walking, and if you maintain mobility you should be able to hike throughout your life time.

There are many benefits of hiking when you’re over 50. You have more more time to hike, combats empty nest syndrome, relieves menopause, etc, gives you a chance to buck stereotypes and to truly pamper yourself for once.

1. You Have More Time

Often times, being over 50 includes a demographic that is retired or semi-retired. This means you have a lot more time on your hands to explore the trails in your area or even to travel.

One of my friends who is retired is able to hike or mountain bike every single day. She is 65 and is in absolutely amazing shape! ( Now- she doesn’t have a husband or GrandKids, otherwise I imagine she would not be spending this much time on the Trail).

Being able to hike during the week frees you up to explore the more popular trails w/out as many people. There are many hikers who can only go on the weekends due to their 9- 5 job.

Also, having more time gives you the ability to be more flexible with your schedule. You can take your sweet time on the trail if you want and take breaks without the need to constantly be looking at your watch.

Finally, perhaps you’ve been wanting to volunteer for a Trail Association or Conservation group. So now is the perfect opportunity! There is always a need for volunteers no matter where you live.

2. Benefits for your Physical Health

I believe one of the greatest advantages of hiking is the substantial improvement it offers to your physical health. Consistent hiking enhances cardiovascular fitness, reduces blood pressure, and strengthens bones. For seniors, this means increased endurance and a lower risk of chronic diseases.

Heart Disease: Daily hiking can help decrease heart disease risks. Moving your body outdoors provides excellent cardiovascular exercise; this helps to strengthen the heart muscle and improves circulation. Lowering blood pressure and cholesterol reduces strain on the cardiovascular system over time.

Maintain Weight: The older we get, the more our metabolism slows down. Women often see bigger gains in weight around menopause. Sustaining an active lifestyle through regular hiking will help with managing weight. Excess body weight increases risks for serious health issues like heart attacks. Making time each day for hiking makes the heart work more efficiently.

Stress Relief: Perhaps your kids have just moved out of the house and your experiencing anxiety. Hiking can help provide valuable stress relief. Chronic stress puts unnecessary wear on the heart. Going for hikes will help you disconnect from daily worries and to put your life in perspective. Reduced stress levels from hiking help prevent the stiffening of arteries. This ensures oxygen-rich blood flows properly to keep the heart healthy long-term.

Keeps the body strong: Hiking engages the entire body with its varied terrain. Steep inclines work the legs, quads, glutes, and calves. Navigating rocky areas uses arms, back, and core for balance. Uneven ground dynamically works different muscles with every step taken. Elevation changes accelerate the heart rate for an aerobic challenge. Outdoor adventures where you carry heavier gear will strengthen shoulders, arms, and hands. Hiking burns significant calories with full body movements more than most outdoor activities.

3. Benefits for your Mental health

Enhanced Mood: Your Mental health can greatly benefit from the serene environment and meditative quality of hiking in nature. Hiking will reduce your stress, improve your moods and enhance cognitive functions.

Hiking triggers the release of endorphins – the body’s natural ‘feel good’ hormones. As a result of these endorphins, hiking can help manage depression, reduce feelings of fatigue, and instill a sense of accomplishment. The serene surroundings and fresh air experienced during a hike also provide an all-natural stress relief, contributing to a happier, more positive mood.

Get Social: Hiking is an excellent reason to get you out of your home. I’ve known of retired ladies who end up spending all day in their home (unless they have a Doctor’s appt).

So you don’t have the office to go to anymore- no longer are you getting that much needed social interaction. Hiking will provide you with the opportunities to connect with others and create meaningful relationships. Joining group hikes or exploring nature with friends provides you with quality social time.

Research indicates that loneliness is now an epidemic with more than quarter of Americans. Being alone can cause feelings of depression and anxiety. Hiking with others is an excellent way to combat this!

4. Chance to Spoil Yourself

Okay, some of you may disagree with me on this one. But, I think this is the time to pamper yourself. No doubt you’ve spent your whole life giving to others and putting yourself last!

This is your chance to travel to the more exotic places you’ve been wanting to go and buy that Patagonia Merino Wool Wardrobe you’ve been eyeing for years.

In my opinion, there is nothing wrong with dropping a few extra bucks on yourself. If you feel guilty about this, then think of other little things you can do while hiking or planning for hikes that make you feel worthy and special.

5. Breaking through Senior Citizen Stereotypes

Your destiny is NOT the rocking chair!

There seems to be this stigma with aging…still. I hear frequently from people over 40 yrs of age even that they are just getting old. Old has very negative connotations- I prefer the term active ager!

By continuing to hike after 50- you are not letting others define to you what growing older means. You are Rejecting the stereotypes that as one ages, they start to decline in physical and mental health.

Take Grandma Gates for instance; At age 67, she was the first woman to solo hike the Appalachian Trail (2,190-miles). This was a pretty incredible feat in itself, but even more impressive because she had pretty basic supplies and hiked in Converse Shoes.

As you can see, you are never too old to start hiking. Yes- there can be physical issues that may arise with more mature hikers, but hiking is an activity that can be done for life. The sore knees, feet, back, etc. can all be taken care of with some TLC.

From my perspective & observations, hikers over 50 are largely ignored. This seems unusual to me because this age range has:

More disposable income to spend on gear & travel.
Actively working through their Hiking Bucket lists (which puts them on the trail more)
Are focused and great planners
Know high quality, top performance gear and clothing.
Has conquered many life challenges
Has a lot of knowledge/experience about the outdoors.

In my opinion, hikers over 50 need to be more prominent in the marketing for Outdoor retailers, magazines, etc. Some are influenced by what they see in the media. The more we see active agers being highlighted on the trails, the more motivating this will be for others.